Monday, June 20, 2011

I know this is supposed to be a blog by someone who makes jewelry but I also have a personal life and it has interfered with my intentions the past few weeks. This past weekend was not a very happy Father's Day for me. You see, early Sunday morning, my Dad, Leon H. Maurer, passed away.

When I saw him last, he seemed happy and on his way to a full recovery from the bypass surgery. I guess it wasn't meant to be but at almost 87, he had a pretty good run. He was always talking about creating a family business and he loved the fact that I followed him in being the artistic one in the family. A veteran of WWII, in his own words, Dad was a Philosopher, Scientist, Artist, Writer, Engineer, Inventor, Animator, Producer, Director, Musician, Consciousness researcher, Generalist, (Jack of all trades, master of one, having fun). The last was definitely most true. He did know how to have fun.

He invented the Musicane, propounded the theory of Cosmogenisis, and, together with his brother, Normal Maurer (comic book artist, film director, son-in-law of Moe Howard of the Three Stooges), co-invented Artiscope, a “full animation-by-automation” system (per Leon’s resume, “Realistic character animation without artists – world’s first practical “real-time motion capture” system”). They also worked together on developing Cinemagic which my uncle used in the 1959 production of "The Angry Red Planet." Dad was a very talented person and quite handsome, if I do say so myself.

A New York City resident and Central Park character for years, he moved to Florida about 6 years ago. Though we were never really very close, I learned a lot from my Dad and I'm glad I had the chance to know him a little better and spend time with him these last years. I am going to miss him, in my own way.

Funny, as much as we seem we're prepared to lose an elderly parent, even one we didn't know very well, it's still strikes deep and it's hard to say goodbye. I'm having a bit of a hard time with it but am very, very grateful to have two brothers, whom I love very much, to share this loss with. We loved him. Each in our own way. And he loved us. Of that I'm very sure. So wherever you are, Pops, RIP!

6 Comments:

I found your post by accident, whilst searching the web for info on Leon's whereabouts. He was a regular participant on a mailing list which I read, and I'd noticed his absence. It's nice to finally know where he got to. I never spoke to him (face to face or by email) but I have read much which he wrote and always found him equal parts fascinating and enthusing. He always seemed to have so much to offer, a real font of ideas, and I found the part of him which I knew to be deeply inspiring. I know he'll be missed by a great many, not least myself - someone who Leon never knew, but to whom he has left a lasting impression that shall not be forgotten. My condolences to you and your family, and thank you for leaving these touching and personal words. It's nice to have a glimpse of Leon the person, in the broadest sense, adding colour to a character whom I often wondered about. I hope he's happy, wherever he is. My thoughts are with him at this time (though I know it's been a while now, I have only just found out). All good wishes to you. Chris

Wonderful memorial, Miki (if I may guess at your name) & refreshingly honest. I had the pleasure of editing one of Leon's final all-encompassing (to say the least!) essays and got to know his thinking even more. He certainly cultivated an openness to ideas while retaining his own acute perspective that is rare among people. He will be missed, even though, in his view, death was but a stage towarad higher awakening – for those who had made themselves ready. And he had.